Friday, January 18, 2013

Interview Friday with Elizabeth Kail Arnita, author of Baby Come Home

Born and
raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Arnita is the youngest of 12
children. She learned early in life about family dynamics and the concept of
sharing. After graduating in 1983, with a degree in Psychology from the
University of Pittsburgh, Elizabeth married Shadi and they have been blessed
with four fabulous children. Her love for the Lord has opened her eyes to a
world in need and ignited her compassion for those who are less fortunate. She
and her husband founded and continue to manage Welcome The Children; a
non-profit organization that funds and supports children who are experiencing
the reality of poverty. Elizabeth Arnita has designated all of the proceeds
from her book sales to support WTC.

VS: Liz, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The
Writing Mama today. My first question is...What do you do to help balance your
writing life with your family life?

Arnita: If I would have chosen
to be an author earlier in life this would absolutely have been a problem. Juggling
work, husband, kids and sanity is no easy feat. Fortunately, I don’t have to
work outside the home, my husband is busy with our business, the kids are
almost self-sufficient and sanity, well I gave up on that one a long time ago.

As with any endeavor that you
pour your time, energy and heart into, you must set priorities that work not
only for you, but also for those you love or failure is eminent. I have found
that in order to maintain harmony in my life, I need to put God above all else.
When my relationship with God is priority, He guides all else that I need to
accomplish and sets my day in order. He gives me the heart to know that my
husband is stressed and I need to quit what I am doing and comfort him. God
gives me the wisdom to know that my kids need my attention and taking time with
them would ease their uncertainties.Sanity?I would be certifiably
insane if I didn’t rest in the fact that God is in control of not only my life
but of all that I worry over.

VS: How long have you been writing?

Arnita: I believe that if you
are a writer, you have always been writing. Whether the work reaches a piece of
paper is another story. I remember being a child and jotting down story lines
and poems, but never having the confidence to keep them. I would fear what people
would think if they read it. For a long time, I wouldn’t even venture to put it
on paper.It was safer in my head. To
this day, insecurity plagues my inner most thoughts. By developing my
relationship with God, I have come to realize that what I write doesn’t have to
be perfect (that is what editors are for), but it just has to come from a heart
that wants to serve the Lord and others. Are my writings worth reading? Some
are; some are not. But that is ok. Realizing that I am not anywhere near, the
“epic” writer I would like to be has given me a freedom to express who God
wants me to be and rely on others to help me make the story worth reading.

“Baby Come Home” is the first
writing that I have allowed to be presented to the world, so, if you like, you
can say I have been writing for less than a year, but truth be told, I have
been writing my whole life.

VS: What inspired you to write your book?

Arnita: I feel that if the
writer wants to interest the reader, a piece of their heart must be laid on the
line in the writing. I have witnessed so many people struggle with just
surviving day to day (myself included). I am praying, that God uses something I
write to give some of them a perspective they may not have seen before.

“Baby Come Home” was written for
children keeping in mind that adults will read it too.The message (though in simple terms) is that
God loves us despite who we are. He simply loves us because He is God. He
cannot change being God and He cannot change loving us. It is who He is.
Mankind often chooses to ignore or refuse to believe this fact. I am hoping to
reach the ears of children who tend to have a more trusting faith and let them
know that they don’t have to walk this life alone and if a few adults can get
the message too, then all the better.

VS:What is a typical writing day like for you?

Arnita: Wake up. Lay in bed thinking if I want to
get up. Praying to God to get me up! Finally, stepping onto the floor with a
grudging grunt. Realizing that getting out of bed was a good idea, cause boy, I
have to tinkle. On a good day, I get dressed, get food, clean up after the kids
who stayed up way too late last night making cookies, sit down at the computer,
answer emails, look at a piece of writing I started a few days ago, add a line
or two, go over it again and realize either “not bad” or “what was I thinking?!”,
kiss my husband as he sets off for work, go back to the computer, write a few
more lines, get a snack, go back reread or write a few more lines, stop ask God
what He would like to say, get frustrated because I didn’t hear Him clearly, go
do a load of laundry, come back, maybe write a few more lines or a thought
comes and I write a whole concept.Each
day is dictated by the necessities of that day. I may go weeks, even months and
not write a sentence. Other times, I can be in the middle of home-life chaos
and write a whole storyline for a future book. If you want to write, then
write. Don’t let the boundaries of your day interfere with the creative
process. Let it flow when the inspiration comes and chill when the creative juice
is ebbing. If there is a story in you, it will come.

VS: Is your family supportive of your writing?

Arnita: My husband is the sole financial provider in
our home. The fact that he has given his blessing on spending a large amount of
money on the publishing process is proof that he is in my corner. My daughter
is a wonderful cheerleader and does everything she can to promote book sales
and helps me to stay organized. My boys give me the kudos they deem
appropriate. All in all, I couldn’t/wouldn’t have published without their
support.

VS: If this isn’t your first publication, what was the first
thing you ever had published?

Arnita: “Baby Come Home” is my
first publication. I have been blessed with the opportunity to have a second
book coming in the Spring of 2013 entitled “Be Brave Bettina” so the next time
asked, I will be able to answer this question more appropriately.

VS: Can you share with us a
little about your current book?

Arnita: “Baby Come Home” is a book that conveys a
message of the unconditional love and acceptance God, the Father has for us.
Baby is a young bird who thinks that life beyond the protection of Sam is more
exciting, more adventurous and more desirable. After he gets over the initial
excitement of his escape, reality sets in and he realizes the terrible mistake
he made. Even when he reaches the safety of being with Sam again, his new
dilemma is worrying that Sam will never love him the same way. Sam gives Baby
the reassurance he needs.

VS: What did you find to be
the most challenging part of writing your books?

Arnita: Beyond gathering the money, it takes to
publish a book, just the whole concept that I am under the microscope of
criticism, a very uncomfortable place for me to be. Submitting my writings to
the gifted eye of first a publishing company, who has the ability to reject it
and then an editor who can and will take it apart, almost made me back off.
Then I realized that if it were meant to be, then it would be. There are
incredible amounts of fabulously written books out there that I will never read
because I am not interested in their content. In fact, the Bible is a book
people choose not to read for the very same reason. I resigned that if someone
is interested in the content of the book, then they will read it and if they
like it then that is a bonus. God instilled the courage to withstand the
“potential” rejection and forge ahead to the published product. I still battle
with the insecurity that the audience will not like it, but stand firm on the
fact that God has given His approval (otherwise it would not have published)
and that is what really matters.

VS: What part of your book do you feel really stands out to you
personally?

Arnita:
The message of the book stands out to me. “Baby Come Home” carries a deeper
message for children than most writings done for them. Although it is a picture
book, there is a truth that I am praying children will tuck away in their
hearts and allow to come forth in times of need.

VS: If this is a work of fiction, what character is most like
you?

Arnita: Of course, Baby. In my
life, I too have decided that things are more exciting, desirable and pleasing
on the “other side”. Every time I wander off, the mistake of my disobedience slams,
me to the ground and I suffer from the false imaginings that God will never
accept me back into His loving care. Then I realize that it was me who
perceived pushing Him away but He never left me. He is there always, no matter
how far I choose to imagine being away from me, He never leaves my side.

VS: If this is a nonfiction book/inspirational book, what event
do you feel was the turning point to your story?

Arnita: I do feel that this book
can be an inspirational book and that there are several turning points within
the story. In fact, so many turns that it eventually leads full circle. The main
character is content with things the way they are, then other characters are
introduced and he sees that the “grass is greener” over there. He makes choices
that he regrets. He learns life lessons. He realizes that the grass was never
greener. He comes home. A little wiser now, he is content with what he had to
begin with.

VS: Do you have any other works in progress? Can you share a
little about them?

Arnita: “Be Brave Bettina” is in
the publishing works as we speak. It will be released Spring of 2013. In this
story, Bettina is a tiny caterpillar who struggles in the grips of paralyzing
fear. She establishes a friendship with Burt (Baby – grown-up) and allows Sam
into her life. With the guidance and encouragement from Sam, she reaches goals
that were meant only for her. There are also several other garden
adventures/lessons in the making, but not yet ready for the publication
process.

VS: What tips can you give writing parents with children at
home to help them see publication?

Arnita: First and foremost, realize
what the goal is, then set priorities straight and lastly do something to make
it accomplishable. I think the hardest of these three is realizing what the
goal is. Most people think that the goal is writing a book. I believe it is
bigger than that. Recognizing a life goal and giving it the time, energy and
resources it needs to be birthed is usually laborious. Pun intended.It is not easy, but the result is worth the
anguish.

VS:What do you think
are the basic ingredients of a good book?

Arnita:
Proper motivation is a basic ingredient of a good book. Why are you writing it?
If the why is worth it, then the how will come into focus. The storyline,
characters, moral…will fall into place. Another necessary ingredient is heart.
If you have not opened your heart and poured some into the story, then it will
not be believable. And yet another, humility; you must be open for others to
give their input and not let your focus be so narrow that only you see the
greatness of the book. If your perspective is broad enough and honest enough,
then the writing will come and others can enjoy a glimpse into your imagination
or life.

VS: What is required for a character to be
believable? How do you create yours? (answer only if your book is fiction)

Arnita:
For a character to be believable, the audience has to identify with them on
some level. Even though Baby is a talking/thinking bird who couldn’t possibly
exist in the real world (at least not to that capacity), I feel that people can
identify with his “grass-greener” attitude and his wanting of something more
mindset. They may also be able to relate to his rebellious spirit and the circumstances
he gets himself into. And it is my prayer that they relate to the lesson
offered in the book. My characters are created from life lessons. I look at the
different situations life finds us in and realize that there is a lesson to be
shared there. Just because the characters are fictional, doesn’t mean their
dilemmas are. It makes no difference if the character is an alien, or a tree,
or a spoon or even a bird; can the audience find a piece of themselves in their
story?

VS: What do you feel as parents we need to do to
help our children see success?

Arnita:
Anything worth achieving is worth the struggle. When I was in labor with each
of my children, there was a point that I would have called it quits. Each time,
I remember telling the doctor; “OK, that’s it! I’m done! Let’s just stop right
here! I don’t want to go any further. This is too hard!” Usually, the doctor
would either ignore me or look at me and laugh. But in every circumstance, I
knew that the hardest part was yet to come and God would allow me to muster up
the strength/courage to finish the job and today, I have 4 fabulous children as
proof that I had more in me than I imagined. That said, I think that as parents
we need to teach our kids that perseverance on a goal worth achieving will
reward wonderful blessings. Children need to see that you have the stamina, the
desire, the love, and the passion to finish a job even though it may be a very
difficult task. They need to see the value of courage and strength of character
in you. Your display of these characteristics will show them what they are made
of and give them the confidence to pursue their own goals. We as parents need
to show our kids that life lessons can be perceived as labor pains, but hang in
there and work hard and the result is the most beautiful blessing offered by
God.

VS: Have you received any awards for your
writing?

Arnita:
Not from the public. The book has been submitted for one public award, but the
results will not be known till May 2013. I have already won the “You did it!”
award from my family and friends. Truthfully, I am not concerned with awards, I
have already been given too many rewards to even count.

VS: Where can the readers of The Writing Mama find out more
about and your writing?

Arnita: On the Halo Publishing
website and various other venues of retail. Also on our non-profit website Welcomethechildren.org

VS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us
about being a “Writing Mama or Dad”?